Asked whether he agreed with Brigadier McDade's view that the treatment of Mr Hicks had been abominable, Mr Ruddock said: "I agree with the Prime Minister, who frequently says numbers of people express themselves in different ways but have the same meaning and intention.

"We believe the delay is very unreasonable and inappropriate, and that's why we've been arguing that [Mr Hicks's case] needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible."

In short, f*ck you, Ruddock. And get that Amnesty pin of your lapel, now!

Hicks has been locked up for such a time, now, that he must be little more than a shell of a man. The parallels with the state of the amoral Ruddock are ironic. The difference being Ruddock had far more autonomy than Hicks in reaching his current state.